Zechariah 10:1-7
1 Ask for rain from the Lord at the time of the spring rain—
The Lord who makes the storm winds;
And He will give them showers of rain, vegetation in the field to each person.
2 For the household idols speak deception,
And the diviners see an illusion
And tell deceitful dreams;
They comfort in vain.
Therefore the people wander like sheep,
They are wretched because there is no shepherd.
3 “My anger is kindled against the shepherds,
And I will punish the male goats;
For the Lord of armies has visited His flock, the house of Judah,
And will make them like His majestic horse in battle.
4 “From them will come the cornerstone,
From them the tent peg,
From them the bow of battle,
From them every tyrant, all of them together.
5 “And they will be like warriors,
Trampling down the enemy in the mud of the streets in battle;
And they will fight, because the Lord will be with them;
And the riders on horses will be put to shame.
6 “And I will strengthen the house of Judah,
And I will save the house of Joseph,
And I will bring them back,
Because I have had compassion on them;
And they will be as though I had not rejected them,
For I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.
7 “Ephraim will be like a warrior,
And their heart will be joyful as if from wine;
Indeed, their children will see it and be joyful,
Their heart will rejoice in the Lord.
The Salvation of Israel (1)
The restoration of the blessing of rain
When the restoration of Israel is fulfilled, the blessing of rain will also be restored (this describes conditions in the Messianic Kingdom). Verse 1 teaches this: “Ask for rain from the Lord at the time of the spring rain— The Lord who makes the storm winds; and He will give them showers of rain, vegetation in the field to each person” (v 1). The Old Testament distinguishes four kinds of rain. (1) The early rain. This is also called the autumn rain, the rain that falls at the beginning of the farming season (rain that falls around October to November). In Hebrew, it is called “yoreh.” (2) The regular rain that falls afterward (rain that falls around December to February). In Hebrew, it is called “matar.” (3) Heavy rain that falls more intensely than matar (this also falls around December to February). In Hebrew, it is called “geshem.” (4) And the latter rain. This is also called the spring rain, the rain that falls during harvest season (rain that falls around March to April). In Hebrew, it is called “malkosh.” After the spring rain ends, a dry season of about half a year begins. With this knowledge in mind, let us read verse 1 again. (1) The latter rain (the spring rain) is normally a small amount of rain. At that time, the people are told to ask for “rain” (ordinary rain) (matar). (2) Then the Lord will answer that prayer and send “heavy rain” (geshem). In other words, though they ask only a little, abundant blessing will be poured out. (3) Because the rainfall is plentiful, both the people and all the vegetation of the field will be fully satisfied.
The Law of Moses
(1) The Law of Moses teaches that the blessing of rain is given as the result of obedience. “If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments so as to carry them out, then I shall give you rains in their season, so that the land will yield its produce and the trees of the field will bear their fruit” (Lev. 26:3-4; see also Deut. 11:13-15). (2) However, in the Messianic Kingdom (the Millennial Kingdom), the blessing of rain will be given simply by asking for it. Moreover, even though only a little is requested, an even greater blessing will be given. If the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is considered the “early rain,” then we may think of the present time as the age of the “latter rain.” Let us offer prayers that anticipate the blessings that will be fulfilled in the Millennial Kingdom. Both nationally and personally, we need the blessing of rain (the outpouring of the Holy Spirit). Let us pray that God will have mercy on this nation. Prayers offered in faith bring abundant blessing.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, please have mercy on this nation and grant spiritual awakening to our fellow countrymen. Please revive me also. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.